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Karadzic war crimes trial resumes Karadzic absent as trial resumes
(40 minutes later)
The genocide and war crimes trial of ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has resumed in The Hague in his absence, a day after it was adjourned.The genocide and war crimes trial of ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has resumed in The Hague in his absence, a day after it was adjourned.
Mr Karadzic is boycotting proceedings, saying he needs more time to prepare his defence. But the court ruled the trial could begin without him.Mr Karadzic is boycotting proceedings, saying he needs more time to prepare his defence. But the court ruled the trial could begin without him.
In opening remarks, prosecutors described him as "supreme commander" of a campaign of ethnic cleansing.In opening remarks, prosecutors described him as "supreme commander" of a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
Mr Karadzic denies all charges relating to the Bosnian war of the 1990s.Mr Karadzic denies all charges relating to the Bosnian war of the 1990s.
Separately, former Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic - convicted of war crimes - has been released.Separately, former Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic - convicted of war crimes - has been released.
Plavsic was the highest ranking official from the former Yugoslavia to have pleaded guilty for her part in the Bosnian War. She was sentenced in 2003 to 11 years in a Swedish jail.Plavsic was the highest ranking official from the former Yugoslavia to have pleaded guilty for her part in the Bosnian War. She was sentenced in 2003 to 11 years in a Swedish jail.
But a Swedish court has allowed her early release for good behaviour.But a Swedish court has allowed her early release for good behaviour.
'Hatred and fear''Hatred and fear'
The prosecution has now begun to deliver its opening argument, which is expected to take two days. The prosecution in Mr Karadzic's trial has now begun to deliver its opening argument, expected to take two days.
Profile: Radovan Karadzic Karadzic to face judgement Secrecy still shrouds Srebrenica Profile: Radovan Karadzic Karadzic to face judgement Secrecy still shrouds Srebrenica
"This case is about that supreme commander, a man who harnessed the forces of nationalism, hatred and fear to implement his vision of an ethnically separated Bosnia: Radovan Karadzic," prosecutor Alain Tieger said."This case is about that supreme commander, a man who harnessed the forces of nationalism, hatred and fear to implement his vision of an ethnically separated Bosnia: Radovan Karadzic," prosecutor Alain Tieger said.
Judge O-Gon Kwon said Mr Karadzic had chosen not to exercise his right to be present and "must therefore accept the consequences". Mr Tieger said that as well as witness testimony, some of the evidence against Mr Karadzic would come from intercepts of his own phone calls and transcripts of his speeches.
He said the court would decide how to proceed after the prosecution's opening statement. It will consider imposing a lawyer to represent Mr Karadzic if he continues to boycott the proceedings. He quoted Mr Karadzic as saying before the war that Serb forces would turn the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, into "a black cauldron, where 300,000 Muslims will die".
Mr Karadzic, who is representing himself at the trial, is not due to give his opening argument until next week. He says he needs at least nine months to prepare his defence. He said witnesses who survived the long siege of Sarajevo would describe living "in constant fear, day after day, for years, knowing that they or their loved ones were targets".
His legal counsel in Belgrade said he would reject any counsel imposed by the court. Mr Karadzic, 64, faces 11 charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The former Bosnian Serb leader, 64, was taken to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague last year, after 13 years in hiding. The former president of Republika Srpska, head of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) and commander of the Bosnian Serb Army has refused to enter pleas, but has said he will co-operate with the court to prove his innocence.
On Monday, Judge O-Gon Kwon adjourned proceedings less than 30 minutes after they began, as Mr Karadzic's chair remained empty. Empty chair
Announcing the court's decision to proceed in his absence, Judge O-Gon Kwon said Mr Karadzic had chosen not to exercise his right to be present and "must therefore accept the consequences".
He said the court would consider imposing a lawyer to represent Mr Karadzic if he continues to boycott proceedings.
THE CHARGES Eleven counts of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocitiesCharged over shelling Sarajevo during the city's siege, in which some 12,000 civilians diedAllegedly organised the massacre of up to 8,000 Bosniak men and youths in SrebrenicaTargeted Bosniak and Croat political leaders, intellectuals and professionalsUnlawfully deported and transferred civilians because of national or religious identityDestroyed homes, businesses and sacred sites Q&A: Karadzic on trial At a glance: Hague tribunal Have your say: Trial expectationsTHE CHARGES Eleven counts of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocitiesCharged over shelling Sarajevo during the city's siege, in which some 12,000 civilians diedAllegedly organised the massacre of up to 8,000 Bosniak men and youths in SrebrenicaTargeted Bosniak and Croat political leaders, intellectuals and professionalsUnlawfully deported and transferred civilians because of national or religious identityDestroyed homes, businesses and sacred sites Q&A: Karadzic on trial At a glance: Hague tribunal Have your say: Trial expectations
The prosecution called for the tribunal to impose counsel on Mr Karadzic. Mr Karadzic, who is representing himself at the trial, is not due to give his opening argument until next week. He says he still needs at least nine months to prepare his defence.
On Monday, Judge O-Gon Kwon adjourned proceedings less than 30 minutes after they began, as Mr Karadzic's chair remained empty.
His legal counsel in Belgrade said he would reject any counsel imposed by the court.
Another of his legal advisers, Kevin Jon Heller, said that from the scope of the trial - thought to include 1.2 million pages of evidence, numerous crime scenes and hundreds of witness - it was understandable why Mr Karadzic, who is not a trained lawyer, had stayed away.Another of his legal advisers, Kevin Jon Heller, said that from the scope of the trial - thought to include 1.2 million pages of evidence, numerous crime scenes and hundreds of witness - it was understandable why Mr Karadzic, who is not a trained lawyer, had stayed away.
"He simply doesn't believe there's enough time to prepare his defence." Mr Karadzic was taken to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague last year, after 13 years in hiding.
The former president of Republika Srpska, head of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) and commander of the Bosnian Serb Army has refused to enter pleas, but says he will co-operate with the court to prove his innocence.
He was indicted in 1995 on two counts of genocide and a multitude of other crimes committed against Bosnian Muslim, Bosnian Croat and other non-Serb civilians during the 1992-1995 war, which left more than 100,000 people dead.He was indicted in 1995 on two counts of genocide and a multitude of other crimes committed against Bosnian Muslim, Bosnian Croat and other non-Serb civilians during the 1992-1995 war, which left more than 100,000 people dead.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The charges relate to several events, including the campaign of shelling and sniper attacks on Sarajevo during the 44-month siege of the city, in which some 12,000 civilians died.The charges relate to several events, including the campaign of shelling and sniper attacks on Sarajevo during the 44-month siege of the city, in which some 12,000 civilians died.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Mr Karadzic is also accused of being behind the massacre of more than 7,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and youths in Srebrenica in July 1995, and of attacks on more than a dozen Bosnian municipalities in the early stages of the war.Mr Karadzic is also accused of being behind the massacre of more than 7,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and youths in Srebrenica in July 1995, and of attacks on more than a dozen Bosnian municipalities in the early stages of the war.
"The prosecution alleges that Karadzic committed all of these crimes together with other members of a joint criminal enterprise with the aim to permanently remove Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian Croat inhabitants from the territories claimed to be a part of the so-called Serbian Republic," the ICTY said in a statement."The prosecution alleges that Karadzic committed all of these crimes together with other members of a joint criminal enterprise with the aim to permanently remove Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian Croat inhabitants from the territories claimed to be a part of the so-called Serbian Republic," the ICTY said in a statement.
Mr Karadzic faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.Mr Karadzic faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
Correspondents say the judges want to complete the trial by 2012, conscious that the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic ended without a verdict after four years when he died in custody.Correspondents say the judges want to complete the trial by 2012, conscious that the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic ended without a verdict after four years when he died in custody.
Prosecutors have abbreviated the scale of their case, and will call fewer witnesses and include alleged crimes in fewer locations.Prosecutors have abbreviated the scale of their case, and will call fewer witnesses and include alleged crimes in fewer locations.